Turbine-driven vessel



H. THORMEYER TURBINE DRIVEN VESSEL Filed July 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FQQUUUUQUUUUUU 5%. OE ummmmmumum GUUDDQ V k Feb. 18, 1936. H. THORMEYER' 2,031,436

TURBINE DRIVEN VESSEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 15, 1952 [/1 1 6/1 for:

Flbu H, THORMEYER TURBINE DRIVEN VESSEL Filed July 15, 1932 4 Sheets-$heet 4 NRQ a mm m a Q a a a a Q mmmmmamm mmmmmmm Patented Feb. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcr.

Application July 15, 1932, Serial No; 622,641

. In Germany July 18, 1931 9 Claims.

My invention has reference to the construction and arrangement of naval or marine craft generally, and has for its object to improve and facilitate the operation of marine or similar power wheels, turbines or the like and thereby also to increase the operating and moving capacity and the safety of ope-ration of large and small craft. Broadly viewed the invention comprises the employment of turbine wheels having their shafts disposed above the water line, and preferably within a casing in such a manner that only the blades are immersed in the water below the bottom of the hull, which bottom at this particular section extends upwards up to the water line or approximately up to that line. In a preferred embodiment of this invention guide blades or guiding devices generally may be disposed in the casing, in order to displace or deviate the water that has been carried along by the blades or thrown upwards. Drivingmeans for naval craft of the general type referred to possess many advantages over the state of the art. With this construction it is usually not necessary, in the case of an ac-.

cident occuring to the driving means, to clock the vessel, as is the case with vessels having ordinary propeller operating means. In a craft constructed in accordance with this invention, it is merely necessary to open the casing and to thereby expose the driving turbine which thus becomes readily accessible and may now be repaired either at the spot, or may be easily removed and reinserted after repair. Generally, damaging of the turbine wheels disposed in accordance with this invention will occur much less frequently than in the case of ordinary propeller operation, in View of the fact that in this invention the turbine blades are preferably protected by suitable guiding means and are moreover immersed in a rather flat position in the water. There is the additional advantage, particularly in connection with the use of a guiding apparatus, that the flow of water is accelerated in a comparatively straight course with relation to the direction of movement and without the generation of whirls o-r eddies.

Another very important object and advantage of the present invention resides in the possibility of causing the blades of the turbine wheels to be rocked or turned similar to the operation of naval propellers. In view of the fact that almost the entire periphery of the turbine wheel is disposed above the water line, only the blades being more or less immersed in the water, the means for the adjustment of the blades are situated'outside of the water and cannot be destroyed by the sea water, storm or the like, so that .a very superior moving and operating capacity and ready manoeuvring are assured, inasmuch as with unchanging direction or rotation for the' forward and rearward movements any desired pitch of the blades may be obtained by adjustment.

The turbine wheel'may also be used simultaneously as a fly wheel for the driving machinery.

The invention will be more fully explained with reference to the accompanying drawing, showing by way of exemplification some embodiments of the principles of this invention. Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a fraction of the hull, particularly of the rear portion with parts'in section; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic transverse'section through the casing of the turbinewheel on the line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a representation similar to that of Figure 2, illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention with turbine wheels arranged laterally with relation to the hull of the vessel; In Figures 4-12 of the drawings, I have shown additional embodiments of the invention by way of exemplification, Figure 4 being a bottom view; Figure 5 an elevation and Figure 6 a transverse sectional elevation of this modified construction; Figures 7, 8, and 9 are corresponding views of another modified construction and Figures 10 to 12 are corresponding views of a further modification and exemplification the sectional views being taken at the places, where the turbines are disposed in the particular modifications.

In the craft shown in the embodiment of Figure 1, the blades 1) are disposed directly upon the fly wheel a of the driving engine M, the said fiy wheel rotating in the water-tight casing c the cover of which is shown to be removed. However; it should be pointed out that there is no necessity of so arranging the cover that it is removed entirely, inasmuch as partial exposure will very often afford to a sufficient extent of accessibility. The turbine wheel may be also arranged between two or more water proof compartments, partitions or the like, one of said walls or partitions being provided with a door through which the casing or the turbine space may be reached for purposes of repair or for other purposes.

The'guide members d may be arranged vertically or radially with relation to the axis. "The radially disposed guide members 01' are shown in broken lines'in'Figure 2 of the drawings.

The bottom'of the hull, as shown particularly in Figure 1 extends upwards to the waterline WL at 'the part corresponding to the position of the casing 0. With this arrangement there is the important advantage that the depth of immersion of the blades 1) does not exceed the immersion of the ships hull at its deepest portions, so as to minimize the liability of damages to the blades, which latter are moreover thoroughly protected by the guide member d.

The casing for the driving device is disposed at the stern of the craft, as shown in Figure 1, but still in the interior of the hull; but it is obvious that this casing may be disposed, if desired, on the outside of the hull on the suitable pediment of the stern. The driving instrumentalities may also be arranged on the bow of the craft, amidship or laterally thereof, or several driving members may be disposed side by side of each other or serially. In Figure 3 of the drawings, the lateral arrangement is illustrated, and the same letters of reference have been used to designate corresponding parts. The driving by way of the engine may be effected directly by means of piston rods, links or the like. As a driving engine for the purpose in question it has been ascertained that a double-acting piston-engine, such as a steam engine, or combustion engine may be used. The advantage is thereby obtained that the turbine wheels on both sides of the hull will perform a complete synchronous rotation. Both in this case as well as in the embodiment of Figure l the turbine wheels may be used at the same time as fly wheels of the driving engine. The particular operating method of the turbine wheels is, of course, immaterial for the invention itself. Any suitable kind of power engines may be used for driving purposes, and the operation may be effected directly or by means of a train of gearing. In the case of the employment of electric motors as a driving means, such motors may be coupled directly with the turbine wheels.

The importance of the use of guiding members for the driving operation according to this invention has already been mentioned. In Figure l of the drawings I have shown the arrangement of the driving means at the stern of the vessel; in this case the steering rudder r may form the continuation or the complement of the intermediate guide member d. With the driving arrangement described there is the likelihood of the water being carried up into the casing by the action of the turbine wheel, so that it will produce a load which will influence the blades above the water line. This difliculty is overcome by the arrangement of special deflecting blades 6 (Fig. 2) which are disposed in the casing near the periphery of the turbine wheel. These deflecting blades or scoops are preferably arranged a short distance rearwards of the point of egress of the turbine blades from the water. The water deflected by these blades e flows through the channels or passages k and is discharged from the casing substantially contrary to the direction of movement of the vessel, so as to assist the propulsion thereof. With a view of causing the water to be likewise discharged which has been thrown off by the wetted blades during their continued rotation within the casing, lateral channels or gutters f are provided in the upper part of the casing adapted to catch the water thrown off by the rotating blades and causing it to flow likewise into the channel It. An additional guide sheet or plate e may also be arranged a short distance from the point of entrance of the blades into the water for the purpose of directing any water that may be ejected at this side into an additional discharge channel or passage. Furthermore, additional lateral strike-off plates or the like 9 (Fig. 1), may be arranged at the rear of the point of egress of the blades from the water and in the interior of the casing with a view of preventing lateral raising and carrying along of the water into'the casing. These lateral plates of sheet metal 9 may be made integral with the guide blades e.

The construction according to Figure 3 presents the following important advantages. The lateral enlargements of the body of the hull in which the turbine wheels are disposed and which are normally substantially flush with the water line, so that they move upon the surface of the water, increase the available deck accommodation, and in the case of rough sea, they constitute additional hull displacement. If in the case of the normal forward movement of the vessel the turbine wheels are rotating in the direction of the arrows indicated in the drawings, they willv of the vessel without the use of a rudder merely by means of the adjustability of the blades.

As regards the further embodiments, shown in Figs. 4 to 12 of the drawings, they are all mainly characterized by the fact that the driving or operating means for the turbines are disposed in: the middle portion of the vessel or intermediate: its ends. As a result of this arrangement, very' important advantages are realized, particularlywhen this kind of craft is used in comparatively shallow waterways, shallow rivers, channels, and

the like. Of these novel objects and advantages:

the fact should be particularly noted that the; water, as distinguished from the mounting of theoperating means at the stern, prevented from being aspirated away underneath the rear portion of the vessel, so as tocause'sagging; of that portion of the vessel. Equal or corresponding; parts in these Figs. 4 to 12 are designated by the same reference letters. In all: these different exemplifications it is one of the essential features that the upwardly constructed configuration of the bottom commences inthe front portion of the craft either at the corresponding end thereof, or laterally at the stern and extends substantially along the entire length of the vessel. By this means channels or conduits S are formed in the bottom of the hull, said conduits extending lengthwise thereof and upwards in the mid dle portion of the ship up to the water line. At this point, the turbine wheel or wheels are arranged in accordance with this invention. In the embodiment according to Figs. 4-6 only one such bottom channel S is provided which extends lengthwise from the front to the stern; in the modification according to Figs. 7 to 9 and 10 to 12 two such channels S are provided corresponding to the arrangement of two driving wheels a which are preferably rotated in opposite directions. While in the embodiment shown in Figs. 10 to 12 these channels S commence likewise at the bow of the vessel, they commence in the form of construction according to Figs. 7-9 laterally of the bow, or sideways of the front portion of the ship. The construction and arrangement of these channels maybe varied according to requirements. Thus, for instance, I may combine the arangement of Figs. 7 to 9 with the embodiments shown in Figs. 4-6 or Figs. 10 to 12. The number of turbine wheels arranged side by side or serially is unlimited. In the exemplificationof Figs. 4 to 6 the invention is, for instance, applied to river craft with the channel running axially from the apex of the prow. The exemplification of Figs. 7 to 9 may be used particularly in connection with a dragging tug for stream and channelwork. The embodiment shown in Figs. '10-..12 is very suitable for freight and passenger ships on.

tropical rivers; a series of channels extend in this,

construction in parallel with each other. In all these different modifications care is taken to cause the blades to operate in a sufiicient depth of water. I

The steering means to be used in connection with this invention may comprise a pairof rudders 1, T1. The operation of this steering device may, for instance, be effected by means of chains, or the like o. In view of the fact that both these steering rudders are connected at their rear ends by a link x or the like, both rudders may be operated in common in both directions by exerting a pull at one of the two chains 1).

This invention, among other objects and advantages, makes it possible to dispose driving units in such a manner that they will be arranged with their axes transversely with relation to the direction of movement of the craft, either at the bow or the stern, such units being for instance disposed so as not to participate in the forward movement of the vessel, but merely serving for steering purposes and allowing moreover of alateral bodily displacement of the hull as a whole. By this means, even large vessels may be steered without bodily movement and may have a great range of manoeuvring capacity imparted to them.

The blades or blade-wheels may comprise one stage or phase, or they may comprise several stages or phases as in the case of steam turbines, or they may be arranged to move in opposite directions like the screw propellers in the case of torpedoes. Also, the invention makes it possible to use a larger number of blades for each wheel, and thereby a very uniform and balanced propelling action is produced.

It may also be pointed out that the driving means may be arranged, so as to be vertically adjustable, in order to be able to adapt the depth of immersion of the blades into the water to the depth of the immersion of the particular ship and to particular conditions, as for instance in the loaded and unloaded condition thereof.

The invention is moreover particularly adapted for the operation of vessels on non-corrected water courses, as for instance in the case of water courses highly obstructed by shrubs and other vegetation, such as frequently met with in tropical regions. The turbine wheel is protected by its particular arrangement and by the guiding means in such a manner that the danger of the winding around of plants and entangling by other obstructions, such as ends of ropes or the like, is entirely obviated. Even, if there should exist any possibility of some amount of plants coming in contact with the blades, they are sure to be easily cut to pieces and to be rendered innocuous thereby.

While I have described my invention in its broad features together with apparatus representing what I consider some of the best embodiments thereof, I desire it to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to these embodiments shown only by way of exemplification and illustration of the principles involved, but that departure may occur within the ambit and ;scbpe of my invention -except as otherwise, an.-

pears from the appended claims.

- Icl m:-.

1. In water craft-in combination a hull with a portion of its bottom upwardly extending substantially to the water line, a turbine-wheel rotatably mounted in a casing formed in said hull being disposed-at r ght angles to the longitudinal of said hull and at a height permitting p ractically only the blades of said wheel. to be immersed in the water, the body portion of said wheelbeing spaced from the walls of said casing, means for rotating said wheel, water-grading and collecting and discharging members disposed laterally relative to said blades substantially parallel therewith, and water eductin means.

2. In water craft, combination-a hull with a portion of its bottom extending upwardly substantially toward the water line, a turbine-wheel rotatably enclosed within a casing formed in said hull being disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said hull and at a height permitting practically only the blades to be immersed in the water below said bottom portion, the body portion of said wheel being spaced from the walls of said casing, a channel provided at the bottom of said casing, water-guiding means disposed laterally relative to said blades at the point where they enter the water, and water deflecting blades provided near the top of said casing close to the periphery of said blades for deflecting the water into said channel.

3. In water craft, in combination a hull with a portion of its bottom extending upwardly substantially to the water line, turbine-wheels rotatably enclosed within casings formed by said hull at opposite sides thereof being disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said hull at a height permitting practically only the blades to be immersed in the water below said. bottom portion, a single means for rotating said turbinewheels in opposite direction, water-collecting and discharging means provided peripherally of said blades near the point of egress of the same, and water deflecting members disposed in the upper portion of said casing close to the periphery of said blades.

4. In water craft, in combination, a hull having a compartment closed at its sides, top, front and rear and open at its bottom, the open bottom of said compartment being disposed substantially at the level of the water line of the hull, a bladed propeller wheel disposed within said compartment for rotation in a plane at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the hull, the axis of said wheel being disposed above the water line so that only the blades at the lower side of the wheel are immersed, and means for rotating said wheel.

5. In water craft, in combination, a hull having in its bottom a downwardly opening channel extending longitudinally of the hull throughout the length thereof the topyof which is disposed substantially at the level of the water line of the hull, said hull also having a compartment closed at its sides, top, front and rear and opening at its bottom into said channel, a bladed propeller wheel disposed within said compartment for rotation in a plane at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the hull, the axis of said wheel being disposed above the water line so that only the blades at the lower side of the wheel are immersed, and means for rotating said wheel.

6. In water craft, the combination as set forth in claim 4 including means disposed within the compartment adjacent to the propeller wheel at the egress side thereof to deflect water carried upwardly by the wheel laterally away therefrom, and means providing a channel below and in water receiving relationship to said deflector means, said channel extending longitudinally of the hull and being open at its rear for discharge of water therefrom into the water in which the hull floats.

7. In water craft, the combination as set forth in claim 4 including channel-members disposed within the compartment above the axis of the propeller wheelto receive water thrown off by the wheel into said compartment and to direct such water laterally beyond the side of the wheel.

8. In water craft, the combination as set forth in claim 4 including means disposed within the compartment adjacent to the propeller at the entrance side thereof to direct water carried around by the wheel laterally away therefrom and means providing a channel below and in water receiving relationship to said deflector means, said channel being open at its rear for discharge of water therefrom into the water in which the hull floats.

9. In water craft, the combination as set forth 10 in claim 4 including a plurality of blades carried by the hull below the water line directly in advance of the propeller wheel and disposed radially relative to the axis of rotation of said wheel to guide the water to the propeller blades during 5 advance of the hull.

HANS THORMEYER. 

